Diskless linux/ubuntu

[ssalman]

I have asked a similar question in a different post, but got no answer, so I’m going to take a step back and ask a general question.

I have an old ultra-slim&light laptop (Thinkpad X20) with no FD or CD drives, but it connects to my home network, where I have PCs with CD/DVD drives. How can I get Linux on this laptop? How about Ubuntu in specific?

For now, I swapped the HD with another laptop that has a CD drive and installed Ubuntu and then swapped it back, but I think there must be a better more permanent solution out there.

Thanks.

[earobinson]

I searched the ubuntu wiki (see sig) for [ubuntu network install] and found this, is that what you are looking for?

[epostma]

This thread seems to be about a solution:
http://ubuntuforums.org/archive/index.php/t-28948.html
It starts from a windows installation, but I guess you can start from any other OS with minor changes.

[ssalman]

Exactly what I needed, I'll give it a try tonight, thanks you VERY much!!

[earobinson]

let us know how it goes

[ssalman]

I followed the steps in this link, and it worked. Thanks earobinson!!

Okay, I it gave me a small hiccup, but eventually it worked. After setting and configuring TFTPD32, and following all steps, it gave me the below message and error.

Rcvd DHCP Discover Msg for IP 0.0.0.0, Mac 00:10:A4:8E:36:E4 [16/01 23:02:27.515]
  DHCP: proposed address 192.168.2.2 [16/01 23:02:27.515]
  Rcvd DHCP Rqst Msg for IP 0.0.0.0, Mac 00:10:A4:8E:36:E4 [16/01 23:02:28.500]
  Previously allocated address acked [16/01 23:02:28.500]
  Read request for file <\netboot\pxelinux.0>. Mode octet [16/01 23:02:28.515]
  OACK: <tsize=11830,> [16/01 23:02:28.546]
  File <netboot\pxelinux.0> : error 10054 in system call recv An existing connection was forcibly closed by the remote host. [16/01 23:02:28.546]

I figured it is an IP conflict issue, as it proposed 192.168.2.2, the same IP address for the WIN box running TFTPD32, I toyed with the settings and saved every time but nothing helped, finally I gave up and shut it down, the following day I pulled it up and it just worked. I guess the save button only saves settings to the disk and TFTPD32 had to be restarted for the changes to take effect. At least this is my explanation.

Anyway, I booted Ubuntu’s netboot image, and installed Ubuntu on the media-less laptop.

I’m including the below links, as it may help other people in their search:
Installing Ubuntu using Netboot - 1
Installing Ubuntu using Netboot - 2
Installing Ubuntu from Windows
General PXE/Netboot howto



Enjoy!!